Time to vent

Didn’t think I’d be starting another blog so soon after the last one but oh my life do I need to vent; it’s 9:30 on a Monday morning, and I’m already feeling dejected.

So the teacher for the first 2 years of secondary school is away, and so she said I could take all the classes, which I was excited about. So I turn up today, and another teacher greets me and says you’re with me for this class – “great” I think, just for the first lesson with the class he can be there to help keep control and then next time I’ll be more prepared to deal with them. Well, he sets me up in the classroom and leaves. “Fine” I think. Thrown in the deep end, but what’s the worst that could happen….

The loudest, most crazy bunch of 12-13 year olds you’ll ever meet. They would not stop shouting, getting up, talking back no matter how many looks I gave, or times I shouted. I tried to be kind and patient, but after a while, that just wouldn’t cut it anymore. Unfortunately, I’m not the scariest teacher and so it was like trying to herd cats and knit fog at the same time. I was really disappointed because I was excited about my lesson, and thought they would enjoy it, as it wasn’t just reading from a textbook. Instead they paid no attention to me. I know we should have “tactics” to keep teenagers in check but honestly, I don’t think they actually work in the real world. I could have drawn 100 lines on that board, and told them they had however many strikes, but realistically it wouldn’t have made any difference.

After the lesson, another teacher came in and asked me how they behaved and I said not very well. She then proceeds to tell the class what I just said… there goes any hope of building rapport. In all fairness, she did say that I didn’t have to teach them if I didn’t feel comfortable, which I appreciated. I’m going to try my best of course and give it another go, but I just feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I think I’m well and truly ready for a proper cup of tea and my own bed. Perhaps I’ll feel differently after some more classes, but right now I feel like curling up into a ball and hiding from the world – especially teenagers!

Anyway, on a happier note, we all had a great time in Oviedo yesterday! It’s a lovely city, bigger than León but with the same character. There were so many statues which was cool, and obviously we had to get some pictures with them. We tried the traditional cider, which, following tradition, we had to down in one after it being poured from a great height. It tasted more like a wine than a traditional English cider but it didn’t stop me saying yes to a few glasses haha! Of course we had to get souvenirs and a coffee while we were there too, so altogether it was a great day and I really enjoyed a change of scenery.

I will now shut up and let you appreciate some pictures…


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